POLEMIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does polemic mean? 

• POLEMIC (noun)
  The noun POLEMIC has 2 senses:

1. a writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology)

2. a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)

  Familiarity information: POLEMIC used as a noun is rare.

• POLEMIC (adjective)
  The adjective POLEMIC has 1 sense:

1. of or involving dispute or controversy

  Familiarity information: POLEMIC used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• POLEMIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

polemic; polemicist; polemist

Hypernyms ("polemic" is a kind of...):

author; writer (writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay))

Derivation:

polemic (of or involving dispute or controversy)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("polemic" is a kind of...):

arguing; argument; contention; contestation; controversy; disceptation; disputation; tilt (a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement)

Derivation:

polemic; polemical (of or involving dispute or controversy)

polemicise; polemicize; polemize (engage in a controversy)

• POLEMIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or involving dispute or controversy

Synonyms:

polemic; polemical

Similar:

controversial (marked by or capable of arousing controversy)

Derivation:

polemic (a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma))

polemic (a writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology))